Residents in four Thurston County districts have until 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, to sign up to write the official "against" arguments for ballot measures heading to voters in November.

The Thurston County Auditor's Office announced Aug. 4 that it needs volunteers to serve on "against" committees for measures in Lacey Fire District No. 3, Southeast Thurston Fire Authority, West Thurston Regional Fire Authority and Yelm Community Schools.

The deadline is firm.

Committee members author the opposition statement printed in the Local Voters' Pamphlet, which is mailed to every registered voter in the affected district before the Nov. 3 general election. Under state law, each jurisdiction with a ballot measure must appoint both "for" and "against" committees. All four "for" committees are already filled.

Who can serve

Only residents who live within the specific district running the measure are eligible. The Auditor's Office has not disclosed the exact nature of each measure, but resolution documents are posted at ThurstonWaVotes.gov.

How to apply

Interested residents can submit their names by email to [email protected] or drop off forms in person at the Elections Office, 2915 29th Ave. SW, Tumwater. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For questions about committee membership requirements, contact the Elections Division at 360-786-5408 or [email protected]. Detailed rules appear on page 7 of the 2026 Administrative Rules for Jurisdictions, available under "Candidates and Jurisdictions" at ThurstonWaVotes.gov.

What's at stake

Five ballot measure resolutions are on the Nov. 3 ballot countywide, according to the county's election page. A fifth measure, for Timberland Regional Library, is not part of this recruitment call, suggesting its opposition committee is already filled.

Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall's office oversees the pamphlet process for the county's more than 200,000 registered voters. Anyone who misses the Aug. 11 deadline will not have another opportunity to serve on these committees for the Nov. 3 election.